Mental objects include hinderances to practice, objects of clinging, the senses bases and their fetters, factors of enlightenment, and the noble truths. Click on the links to read more about the various mental objects (a work in progress):

The cycle of life involves mental suffering or dissatisfaction, such as birth, old age, sickness and death, constant change and flux (impermanence), and a lack of control over these challenges.

The cause of suffering is attachment and dualistic thinking: desire & aversion, grasping or clinging & fighting against or pushing away, striving for a certain outcome.

The cessation of suffering (true happiness) comes from letting go of attachment and seeing the emptiness of phenomena. It involves compassion without distinctions or separations and surrender to what is without conditions or attachment to outcome.

We can practice mindfulness of mental objects by observing the hindrances, objects of clinging, and skillful mental factors within the scope of the four noble truths – how they either cause suffering or free us from suffering. In this way, we gain insight into the internal conditions that move us further into confusion and those that cultivate equanimity. This insight encourages the states of mind that lead us along the path to liberation.